JP2010507837A - Rubbing cloth defect removal device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rubbing cloth defect removing device, a base, a rubbing roller supported by a support base provided at both ends of the base, and driven by a drive motor mounted on the outside of the support base; A video motor that is horizontally moved by a linear motor installed on one side at the upper end of the base and has a large number of cameras that shoot the video on the rubbing roller on the front, and a 3D video captured by the video acquisition unit. Utilizing the central control unit to calculate the eccentricity on both sides of the rubbing roller and the distance between both ends of the rubbing cloth wound on the rubbing roller in real time, analyze and output this, and store the calculated measurement value in the database; The rubbing cloth foreign matter acquired through the image acquisition section and the thread streaks protruding from the rubbing cloth can be removed. To be installed horizontally movable, it is disposed on the vertical line of the rubbing roller, and a removal means which is controlled via a central control unit.

Description

  The present invention relates to a rubbing cloth defect removing apparatus for inspecting a rubbing roller for aligning an alignment film of a liquid crystal display panel and automatically removing foreign matter on the rubbing cloth.

  In general, alignment treatment is performed to align liquid crystal molecules of a liquid crystal display panel.

  In such an alignment process, a method of rubbing the surface of the alignment film with a rubbing cloth is used using a rubbing apparatus configured by winding a rubbing cloth around a rotating rubbing roller.

  Such a rubbing apparatus rotates a rubbing roller formed by adhering a rubbing cloth to an outer peripheral surface of a roller usually made of aluminum or stainless steel, and the rubbing cloth is in contact with the surface of the alignment film. The liquid crystal molecules are arranged according to the rubbing direction and have uniform characteristics.

  The rubbing cloth used in such a rubbing apparatus generally uses a velvet with raised fabric and fibers, and such a rubbing cloth may fluff from the rubbing cloth when used for a long time. The rubbing cloth itself is distorted due to the elasticity of the rubbing cloth, or foreign matter adheres to the rubbing cloth. Such a rubbing cloth defect damages the surface of the liquid crystal display panel aligned by the rubbing cloth. This led to defective LCD panels.

  In order to eliminate these disadvantages, the rubbing cloth is inspected from time to time. However, the normal rubbing cloth inspection method is only a visual inspection, and a fine defect of the rubbing cloth cannot be found. The defective rate of the panel was raised.

  Therefore, an apparatus capable of automatically detecting the rubbing cloth has been developed recently, but this also has a problem that a person has to directly remove the detected rubbing cloth.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a rubbing cloth defect removing device capable of automatically detecting thread lines of a rubbing cloth due to the fluff of the rubbing cloth and automatically removing the thread lines of the rubbing cloth.

  The present invention has been devised in view of the above-described problems, and is supported by a base and a drive motor that is supported by support bases provided at both ends of the base and mounted on the outside of the support base. A rubbing roller that is driven; and a video acquisition unit that is horizontally moved by a linear motor installed on one side of the upper end of the base and on which the rubbing roller is mounted with a number of cameras for taking a stereoscopic image; and Using the 3D image taken by the image acquisition unit, the eccentricity on both sides of the rubbing roller and the distance between both ends of the rubbing cloth wound around the rubbing roller are calculated in real time, and this is analyzed and output, and the calculated measurement A central control unit for storing the values in a database; and the rubbing cloth foreign matter acquired through the image acquisition unit and the protruding thread streaks of the rubbing cloth can be removed. Characterized in that it comprises a; the base of the upper end is installed horizontally movably disposed on the vertical line of the rubbing roller, removing means which is controlled via a central control unit.

  According to the rubbing cloth defect removing device according to the present invention, the rubbing roller is rotated, the deformation or contamination degree of the rubbing cloth wound around the rubbing roller is observed to determine whether or not the rubbing cloth is defective, and the rubbing cloth generates fluff and the rubbing cloth When the thread streaks protrude, the position of the thread rubbing of the rubbing cloth is determined and automatically removed, thereby preventing the liquid crystal display panel from being defective due to the rubbing roller or the rubbing cloth being defective.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of a rubbing cloth defect removing device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the rubbing cloth defect removing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a plan view with the backlight removed in FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where the rubbing roller is removed in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a horizontal movement state of the image acquisition unit in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a removing means in FIG. It is the top view which showed the horizontal movement state.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the present invention relates to a rubbing cloth defect removing apparatus for inspecting a rubbing roller for aligning an alignment film of a liquid crystal display panel and automatically removing foreign matter on the rubbing cloth. In more detail, the rubbing roller is rotated, the deformation or contamination degree of the rubbing cloth wound around the rubbing roller is observed to determine whether or not the rubbing cloth is defective. The present invention relates to a rubbing cloth defect removing apparatus 100 configured to determine the position of the thread line of the rubbing cloth when it pops out and automatically remove it.

  Such a rubbing cloth defect removing apparatus 100 is mainly composed of four parts, and includes a rubbing roller 20, an image acquisition unit 30 for acquiring an image of the rubbing cloth 21 wound around the rubbing roller 20, and an acquired image. The central control unit 50 that determines whether or not the rubbing cloth 21 wound around the rubbing roller 20 is defective, and the removing means 40 that removes the thread 22 of the rubbing cloth jumping out of the rubbing cloth 21.

  First, the rubbing roller 20 is supported by support bases 11 provided at both ends of the base 10, and is driven and rotated by a drive motor 12 mounted on the outside of the support base 11.

  The image acquisition unit 30 is horizontally moved by a linear motor 31 installed at the upper end of the base 10, and a number of cameras 321, 322, and 323 for taking a 3D image of the rubbing roller 20 are mounted on the front surface.

  The image acquisition unit 30 measures the distance between both ends of the transfer plate 32 horizontally transferred by the linear motor 31 and the rubbing cloth 21 wound around the rubbing roller 20 by photographing the center of the rubbing roller 20. A number of first cameras 321 installed in the horizontal direction on the front surface of the transfer plate 32, first light emitting means 324 installed on the first camera 321 for illuminating the rubbing roller 20, and a rubbing cloth 21 The second camera 322 and the third camera 323 are arranged on the front surface of the transfer plate 32 in the horizontal direction in order to three-dimensionally photograph the fluff, foreign matter, and thread streaks 22 protruding from the rubbing cloth 21. .

Here, at least two or more first cameras 321 are installed on the horizontal line and function to simultaneously shoot the surface of the rubbing roller 20 in a certain range.
Such a first camera 321 mainly shoots the center of the rubbing roller 20, shoots and measures the distance between both ends of the rubbing cloth 21 wound around the rubbing roller 20, and photographs the fluff of the rubbing cloth 21. Will be measured.

  The second camera 322 and the third camera 323 are arranged at the lower end of the first camera 321 so that the second camera 322 of the second camera 322 and the third camera 323 can photograph the outer peripheral surface of the rubbing cloth 21. The third camera 323 is installed at the lower end of the second camera 322 so that the lower part of the rubbing cloth 21 can be photographed, but is installed diagonally toward the rubbing cloth 21.

  Therefore, the central control unit 50 can determine the position of the second camera 322 and the third camera 323 based on a three-dimensional image acquired by stereoscopically photographing the thread streaks 22 protruding from the rubbing cloth 21. It can be so.

The first light emitting means 324 is for irradiating the rubbing roller 20 with illumination, and is configured to be coaxially installed on each first camera 321.
For this reason, the first light emitting means 324 has a “ring” shape with a space formed in the middle, so that a clearer image can be obtained when shooting an image.

  On the other hand, the central control unit 50 calculates the distance between both ends of the rubbing cloth 21 wound around the rubbing roller 20 in real time using the 3D image captured by the image acquisition unit 30, and analyzes and outputs it. The calculated measurement value is stored in a database (not shown), and the removal means 40 is controlled based on the stored measurement value.

  At this time, the 3D image captured by the image acquisition unit 30 can be monitored by a person via the display 60.

  In addition, a reference value for distinguishing between normal and bad is input to the database of the central control unit 50 by adjusting the driving time of the video acquisition unit 30, that is, the shooting period, and the input reference value is shot. A program for controlling the removal means 40 so that it can be moved again from the captured video to the defective point area is provided.

  The removing means 40 moves horizontally on the base 10 so as to remove the fluff and foreign matter of the rubbing cloth 21 acquired through the image acquisition unit 30 and the thread streaks 22 protruding from the rubbing cloth 21. Although installed in a possible manner, it is arranged on the vertical line of the rubbing roller 20 and is controlled via the central control unit 50.

  The removing means 40 includes a moving plate 45 that horizontally moves on the second linear motor 44 installed on the base 10, an elevating unit installed on the upper side of the moving plate 45, and an upper part of the elevating unit. It is comprised with the scissors 41 installed in.

At this time, the scissors 41 can be driven by air pressure, a motor or hydraulic pressure, and a suction portion for sucking the thread line 22 of the rubbing cloth released from the rubbing cloth 21 at the central portion of the scissors 41. A hole 411 is further formed.
Further, a rotating portion 43 is further formed at the lower portion of the scissors 41 so that the scissors 41 rotate according to the degree of bending of the yarn thread 22 protruding from the rubbing cloth 21.

  The raising / lowering means for raising / lowering the scissors 41 can use a servo motor, a cylinder 42, and a linear. In the embodiment of the present invention, the raising / lowering means has a structure constituted by a cylinder.

On the other hand, on the other side of the base 10, the second light emitting means 70, which is a backlight capable of illuminating the rubbing roller 20 along the length direction, is further installed.
When the lower end image of the rubbing cloth 21 is photographed through the second light emitting means 70, a structure is provided in which the edge of the rubbing cloth 21 is more prominent and a clearer image can be obtained.

  FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is an operation diagram illustrating the operation of the first camera in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, at least two or more first cameras 321 are installed on the horizontal line in a state where the rubbing roller 20 is rotating, and the image of the surface of the rubbing roller 20 in a certain range is simultaneously captured. do.
The first camera 321 mainly shoots the center of the rubbing roller 20, measures the distance between both ends of the rubbing cloth 21 wound around the rubbing roller 20, and photographs the fluff 23 of the rubbing cloth. Will be measured.

  Here, the first camera 321 can determine whether or not there is a defect when the gap between the both ends of the rubbing cloth 21 and the fluff 23 are within the error range, and can identify whether or not the defect is possible by a notification means (not shown) such as an alarm. ing.

  FIG. 9 is an operation diagram showing the operation of the second camera and the third camera in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the second camera 322 is installed at the lower end of the first camera 321 so that the outer peripheral surface of the rubbing cloth 21 can be photographed while the rubbing roller 20 is rotating. The three cameras 323 are installed at the lower end of the second camera 322 so that the lower part of the rubbing cloth 21 can be photographed, but are installed diagonally toward the rubbing cloth 21.

  Here, the second camera 322 shoots the outer peripheral surface of the rubbing cloth 21, and when the fluff 23 is generated and the corresponding part rises and protrudes and exceeds the error range, the presence or absence of a defect is determined, and a notification means such as an alarm is provided. It is possible to identify whether or not it is defective.

  Simultaneously with the second camera 322, the third camera 323 three-dimensionally captures the thread 22 that has protruded from the rubbing cloth 21, so that the central control unit 50 can determine the position from the two acquired three-dimensional images. It has become.

  In other words, when the thread streak 22 that protrudes from the rubbing cloth 21 falls down, the position can be accurately determined via the third camera 323.

  FIG. 10 is a side view showing the position of the third camera according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a side view showing the position of the third camera according to the third embodiment.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10, the third camera 323 according to the second embodiment is built in the base 10 so that the lens protrudes from the upper surface of the base 10 on the vertical line of the rubbing roller 20. It is possible to acquire an accurate three-dimensional video image of the thread streaks 22 protruding from the rubbing cloth 21 with the camera 322.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the third camera 323 according to the third embodiment is installed diagonally toward the rubbing cloth 21 on the other upper side of the base 10.

  FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a first operation state of the removing means.

  Prior to explaining the operation of the removing unit 40, first, the central control unit 50 compares and judges the images acquired by the second camera 322 and the third camera 323, and the removing unit 40 corresponds to the calculated position value. It must be preceded to be moved to a position.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, the cylinder 42 is raised by the control of the central control unit 50, and accordingly, the scissors 41 come close to the thread line 22 from which the rubbing cloth 21 protrudes.

  Then, the scissors 41 will clip the thread streaks 22 protruding from the rubbing cloth 21, and when the clipping is completed, the cylinder 42 is lowered to remove the thread streaks 22 protruding from the rubbing cloth 21. .

  The thread streaks 22 protruding from the rubbing cloth 21 thus removed can be completely removed by causing the suction holes 411 to suck the thread streaks 22 protruding from the rubbing cloth 21 at the same time as the scissors 41 release the clipping. It is.

  FIG. 13 is a conceptual diagram showing a second operating state of the removing means.

  FIG. 13 shows a case where the thread streaks protruding from the rubbing cloth have fallen.

  At this time, first, when the cylinder 42 is raised, the scissors 41 are raised, and before the thread streaks 22 of the rubbing cloth 21 are clipped via the scissors 41, air suction is first generated in the suction holes 411, and the rubbing which has fallen down is generated. After raising the thread 22 of the fabric 21, it can be removed through a series of processes as shown in FIG.

  As described above, the removing means 40 is limited to the scissors 41 in the rubbing cloth defect removing device according to the present invention, but it is needless to say that a removing means using a laser can be selectively used.

It is a top view of the rubbing cloth defect removal apparatus by this invention. It is a block diagram of the rubbing cloth defect removal apparatus by this invention. It is the top view which removed the backlight in FIG. It is the top view which showed the state which removed the rubbing roller in FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a horizontal movement state of the video acquisition unit in FIG. 4. It is the top view which showed the horizontal movement state of the removal means in FIG. It is a side view of FIG. FIG. 8 is an operation diagram illustrating the operation of the first camera in FIG. 7. It is the operation | movement figure which showed the operation | movement of the 2nd camera and the 3rd camera in FIG. It is the side view which showed the position of the 3rd camera by 2nd Example. It is the side view which showed the position of the 3rd camera by 3rd Example. It is the conceptual diagram which showed the 1st operation state of the removal means. It is the conceptual diagram which showed the 2nd operation state of the removal means.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Bad rubbing cloth removal apparatus 10 ... Base 11 ... Support stand 12 ... Drive motor 20 ... Rubbing roller 21 ... Rubbing cloth 22 ... Yarn thread 23 ... Fluff 30 ... Image acquisition unit 40 ... Removal means 41 ... Scissors 411 ... Suction hole 50 ... Central control unit 70 ... Second light emitting means (backlight)
321 ... 1st camera 322 ... 2nd camera 323 ... 3rd camera 324 ... 1st light emission means

Claims (9)

In the rubbing cloth defect removal device that inspects the rubbing roller that aligns the alignment film of the liquid crystal display panel and automatically removes foreign matter from the rubbing cloth,
Base and
A rubbing roller supported by support bases provided at both ends of the base and driven by a drive motor mounted on the outside of the support base;
A video acquisition unit which is horizontally moved by a linear motor installed on one side of the upper end of the base, and on the front surface is mounted with a number of cameras for taking a stereoscopic video of the rubbing roller;
Using the 3D image captured by the image acquisition unit, the eccentricity on both sides of the rubbing roller and the distance between both ends of the rubbing cloth wound around the rubbing roller are calculated in real time, and this is analyzed and output. Central control unit for storing measured values in a database;
It is installed on the upper end of the base so as to be able to move horizontally, so that the foreign matter of the rubbing cloth acquired through the image acquisition unit and the thread streaks out of the rubbing cloth can be removed, but on the vertical line of the rubbing roller. A rubbing cloth defect removing device comprising: removing means disposed and controlled via a central control unit; The video acquisition unit
A transfer plate horizontally transferred by the linear motor;
A plurality of first cameras installed horizontally in front of the transfer plate in order to measure the distance between both ends of the rubbing cloth wound around the rubbing roller by photographing the center of the rubbing roller;
First light-emitting means installed on the same axis of the first camera to illuminate the rubbing roller;
In order to photograph three-dimensionally the fluff of the rubbing cloth, the foreign matter, and the yarn thread protruding from the rubbing cloth, a plurality of second cameras and third cameras are installed on the front surface of the transfer plate in the horizontal direction. The rubbing cloth defect removing device according to claim 1. Of the second camera and the third camera, the second camera is installed at the lower end of the first camera so that the outer peripheral surface of the rubbing cloth can be photographed.
The rubbing cloth defect removing device according to claim 2, wherein the third camera is installed diagonally toward the rubbing cloth at the lower end of the second camera so that the lower part of the rubbing cloth can be photographed.   4. The rubbing cloth defect removing device according to claim 3, wherein the third camera is built in the base so that a lens protrudes from an upper surface of the base on the vertical line of the rubbing roller.   The rubbing cloth defect removing device according to claim 3, wherein the third camera is installed diagonally toward the rubbing cloth on the other side of the base so that the lower part of the rubbing cloth can be photographed. The removing means is installed on a second linear motor installed at the upper end of the base and moves horizontally,
The rubbing cloth defect removing device according to claim 1, wherein the rubbing cloth defect removing device is configured by lifting means installed on an upper part of the moving plate and scissors installed on an upper part of the lifting means.   The rubbing cloth defect removing device according to claim 6, wherein a suction hole for sucking a thread of the rubbing cloth detached from the rubbing cloth is further formed at a central portion of the scissors.   The rubbing cloth defect removing device according to claim 7, wherein the scissors further include a rotating portion at a lower portion so that the scissors can rotate. The rubbing cloth defect removing device according to claim 1, further comprising a second light emitting unit that illuminates the rubbing roller along the length direction on the other side of the base.

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